JP2003067072A - Digital equipment with option function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain digital equipment with an option function which reduces the burden on the maker and enables a customer to immediately use equipment with the added option function without having the equipment collected. SOLUTION: A function actuation processing part 106a decides whether a license key hp is stored in a memory 1d as the power source is turned on and determines the function corresponding to the kind of the license key when the license key hp is stored. A license key computation processing part 106b obtains a license key fi by actuating the function corresponding to the license key hp reported by the function actuation processing part 106a. An option actuation selection part 106c decides whether the license key fi matches the license key hp stored in the nonvolatile memory 1d each time the license key fi is requested and actuates the option that the license key hp indicates when they match each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is a digital device having an optional function, which is less burdensome for the manufacturer and can be used immediately as a device to which the optional function is added without requiring the customer to pick up the device. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital devices such as a satellite broadcast receiving television and encoders / decoders have been adopted in place of analog electronic devices.

Some digital devices of this type are equipped with software as digital contents for operating the devices, and various electronic copyrighted data, etc., in full specifications as complex digital contents parts. .

[0004] In addition, there is also a digital device in which some of the digital content parts which the customer side does not request as an optional function are omitted in the software which follows the basic function.

[0005] In such a device, when there is an optional function as an addable specification, conventionally, there are mainly two selling methods.

(1) When the shipped or sold device does not have the optional function, if the optional function is added, the sold or shipped device is pulled up to a manufacturing plant or a service base, and the optional function requested by the customer ( Add content, upgrade version, etc.).

(2) Models are classified into a plurality of models depending on the presence or absence of an optional function, inventory management is performed, and a device having an appropriate function is selected and sold when the device or material is ordered.

[0008]

However, when a customer purchases a device that does not have an optional function, in order to provide a new optional function (version upgrade), the device should be picked up by the manufacturer or service base. It takes time and effort to add an optional function. In other words, there is a problem that the addition of functions is a heavy burden on both customers and manufacturers.

Further, in the conventional method, it is necessary for the manufacturer to store various kinds of equipment such as equipment equipped with optional functions, equipment equipped with optional full specifications, and equipment not equipped with optional functions in a warehouse. However, there was a problem that inventory adjustment was difficult.

Further, since many kinds of equipment must be stored in a warehouse, there is a problem in that a large number of storage areas are required, resulting in an increase in storage costs.

Further, in recent years, personal computers have become widespread also on the customer side, and it is conceivable to request the addition of functions via the Internet to perform the device pickup, delivery, and settlement, but centrally manage distribution and settlement. However, there is a problem in that the maker side needs to construct a system for distribution and settlement, which is extremely burdensome for the maker side.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the burden on the manufacturer is small, and even if the customer does not have to take over the device, it can be immediately used as a device to which an optional function is added. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital device having an optional function capable of performing.

[0013]

A digital device having an optional function of the present invention is a digital device which has various optional functions built therein and is set so as not to operate at the time of shipment.

In the digital device, when the user inputs the license key of the optional function,
A means for storing as an input license key by a user, a means for determining an option type of the input license key and activating a function corresponding to the option type, and a preset for the input of the license key The means for reading the serial number of the digital device, the means for creating the license key from the serial number by the function, the input license key and the created license key are compared, and both license keys match. At this time, it has a means to activate the option function of a type corresponding to the type of the input license key.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Preferred Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital device 1 having an optional function according to the first preferred embodiment.

In this embodiment, an up converter for converting a digital component signal into HDTV will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital device 1 includes a signal input unit 101 for converting a serial digital interface (SDI) signal into a parallel signal, an IP conversion unit 102 for converting an interlaced signal into a progressive signal, and an image processing unit 103. And an enlarging section 10 for enlarging the image signal.
4 and a signal output unit 10 for outputting an HD-SDI signal
5 and.

In the first embodiment, the image processing unit 103 described above is assumed to have two types of options (options A and B) in advance.

The option A 103c is a color correction and performs a color correction function, a level adjustment of a high brightness part, an adjustment of a low brightness part, a hue adjustment and the like.

Option B103e is an enhancement, which is used to set the enhancement amount, frequency setting of the input signal to be enhanced, band limitation, and the like.

The image processing section 103 is also provided with basic processing 103a such as conversion into color signals corresponding to HD, and switching means 103b and 103d. The switching means 103b is provided between the basic processing 103a and the option A, and selects the option A by inputting a switching signal from the microcomputer 106.

The switching means 103d is the switching means 10
3b and option B, the microcomputer 106
The option B is selected by inputting the switching signal from.

That is, when the switching signal is not sent to the switching means 103b and 103d, the option is not activated and only the basic processing is activated.

Further, the digital device 1 includes the microcomputer 10
6 and a non-volatile memory 1d.

The microcomputer 106 has at least a function activation processing section 106a and a license key calculation processing section 106b.
And an option activation selection unit 106c.

The function activation processing unit 106a determines whether or not the license key hp (the license key input by the user is hp. Hp: license keys A, B, ...) Is stored in the memory 1d when the power is turned on. If it is determined that the license key hp is stored, a function Hi (Hi: function A,
..) is used to calculate the license key fi (fi: license key Ap, Bp, ...).

The license key calculation processing unit 106b includes functions A, B, ... For obtaining the license key fi (license keys Ap, Bp, ...) And the function activation processing unit 10 is provided.
The license key fi is obtained by activating one of the functions corresponding to the license key hp (license keys A, B, ...) Informed by the 6a.

Every time the license key fi (license keys Ap, Bp, ...) Is requested, the option activation selecting unit 106c matches the license key fi with the license key hp stored in the non-volatile memory 1d. If they match, the option indicated by the license key hp is activated.

For example, when the license key A is stored in the memory 1d and the function A is activated to obtain the license key Ap, when the license key Ap and the license key A in the memory 1d match, the switching means 103b.
A switching signal is sent to and the option A is connected.

That is, the option start-up selection unit 106c
When the license key A is stored in the memory 1d and the license key calculation processing unit 106b obtains the license key Ap, the license key Ap and the license key input and stored by the user in the non-volatile memory 1d are stored. Option A when compared with A and matches
Has a process S1 for activating.

When the license key B is stored in the memory 1d and the license key calculation processing unit 106b obtains the license key Bp, the license key Bp is obtained.
And the non-volatile memory 1d includes a process S2 for activating the option B when compared with the license key B input and stored by the user.

Therefore, since the color correction or enhancement built in in advance is activated, the color correction function, the level adjustment of the high luminance part, the adjustment of the low luminance part, the hue adjustment, etc., or the setting of the enhancement amount and the input signal to be enhanced are performed. This digital device will perform frequency setting, band limitation, etc. Therefore, it does not take time or effort to add the optional function.

Further, the microcomputer 106 uses the input button 1b.
It has a function S4 of storing the license key hp inputted by using the non-volatile memory 1d, a function S3 of displaying the inputted serial number Ai and the license key hp on the LCD display unit 1a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned digital device 1 is provided with a display unit 1a and a setting input unit 1b, and a worker of the factory A operates the setting input unit 1b to operate the digital device 1 When the unique serial number Ai of is input, the serial number Ai is stored in the memory 1d (nonvolatile memory). This serial number Ai is stored at the factory.

Further, the nonvolatile memory 1d described above is
An area for storing the license key hp input by the user is provided for each license key, and the microcomputer 106 is programmed so that the license key can be known from the address number of the area.

Further, the digital device 1 according to the first embodiment
When the power is turned on, the serial number Ai exists in the memory 1d, and the license key hp is stored in the memory 1d by the user, the serial number Ai is used to activate each option. The license key fi is obtained by the function Hi, and when the license key hp matching these license keys fi exists in the memory 1d, the options A, B, ... Shown by the license key hp are activated.

The above-mentioned license key hp by the user is made by using the setting input section 1b shown in FIG.
Is displayed in.

Further, when the above-mentioned optional function is activated, each item of the optional function is displayed on the display unit 1a as shown in FIG. 2 (for example, in the case of color correction, the high brightness level of the input video signal, Low brightness level,
Hue) is displayed.

Next, an example of a method for obtaining the above-mentioned license key hp will be described with reference to FIG.

In the method shown in FIG. 3, the digital device 1 preliminarily equipped with the full option function is made to be sold to the user C through the factory A (maker) and the store B (sales corporation, agency), and the user C eventually sells the digital device 1. When you need such an option (version upgrade), let me purchase the package 2 (built-in manual with authentication code gi for activating the option) sold from the factory A through the store B, This is a method of obtaining the license key ki by transmitting the authentication code gi to the server of the maker described later by the user C. By inputting the obtained license key ki into the digital device 1 (also referred to as the main body), the upgrade device Can be operated as.

First, in the factory A, when the digital device 1 (with full option built-in) is shipped, a serial number A unique to the device is set.
Enter i. The serial number Ai is stored in the nonvolatile memory 1d by the microcomputer 106 of the digital device (d01).

Then, the digital device 1 is shipped (settlement is also made) to the store B (d02). Also, the store B
Then, the digital device 1 from the manufacturer is displayed in the store and the user C is made to purchase it (d03).

On the other hand, the option package (box) 2 is
Authentication code gi to show that you have purchased the option
(G1, g2, ...) Is printed on the manual 8 for activating the option, and the manual 8 is put in an envelope and mailed to the package 2 (d04).

This authentication code gi is generated by the license issuing server 5 and stored in the database 7 (d05). For example, in the case of option A, "A3
95782 "is generated. In other words, the random number "3
95782 ”is generated, and the symbol“ A ”indicating the option type is added to the head of this numerical value sequence.

The URL of the server 5 is included in the manual 8.
Is printed.

The optional package 2 is shipped from the factory and sold to the store B (d06), and the store B causes the user C to purchase the optional package 2 (d07).

The user C opens the option package 2 and requests the home page of the license issuing server 5 using the URL code of the maker A in the manual 8 (d0).
8). The license issuing server 5 of Maker A sends the home page via the Internet 11 and the personal computer 10
Has a browser function and displays it on the screen (d09).

Next, the user C inputs the mail address and the serial number Ai of the purchased digital device 1 into the personal computer 10 according to the guide screen of the home page (the user input is distinguished as ap), and
Enter the authentication code gi described in the manual 8 of the purchased license package 2 (the one entered by the user is distinguished as gp), and the Internet 11
Send to the license issuing server 5 via (d1
0). These serial number, authentication code, and mail address are collectively referred to as authentication code information.

The license issuing server 5 temporarily stores these transmitted data and then confirms that the authentication code gp has been issued and that it has not been used, and generates the license key ki (d11). ).

This license key ki is the authentication code g
It is calculated by activating a function corresponding to the option type added to i and setting the serial number Ai from the user in this function. That is, when the option type of the authentication code gi indicates the option A, the serial number Ai
The license key is a number for activating only option A of. Also, the authentication code gi once registered
Is already used.

The above function is, of course, the same as the function Hi in the main body.

Then, the license issuing server 5 uses the mailer to send the generated license key ki to the mailer of the personal computer 10 of the user C via the Internet 11 (d12).

On the other hand, when the user C obtains the license key ki, the user C inputs this license key ki into the digital device 1 (the license key inputted by the user is distinguished as hp) in accordance with the operating procedure of the manual 8 (d).
13).

That is, when the option package 2 of the option A is purchased after the digital device 1 is purchased, the digital device operates with the option A.

Therefore, by only allowing the user to purchase the optional package, the digital device having the optional function desired by the user can be obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary for the manufacturer to pick up the digital device purchased by the user, and the digital device can be purchased in a short time. It becomes possible to sell the option that the user desires.

Further, it is not necessary for a maker or a store to store various kinds of equipment such as equipment equipped with optional functions and equipment with optional full-spec equipment in a warehouse.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary for the user to purchase the option package at a store or the like, the maker does not need to construct a system for payment.

<Second Preferred Embodiment> The second preferred embodiment enables a trial use of a digital device by issuing a trial license key.

As shown in FIG. 4, the digital device 20 includes a function activation processing section 106a and an option activation selection section 1
06c and a permanent license key calculation processing unit 106b are desirable.

Further, the digital device 20 used in the second embodiment is an up-converter similar to that in the first embodiment, but only the main part is shown in FIG.

The nonvolatile memory 201e of the digital device 20 is provided with a number of area groups 203 for storing the license key hp, the number of which corresponds to the number of options.

Further, it has a trial time counter area 204 for storing the count value of the trial time and also stores the serial number Ai.

First, the function activation processing unit 106a described above
When the power is turned on, the area group 203 of the non-volatile memory 201e is monitored, and when the data is stored in any of the area groups 203, the license key hp of any option from the address (in the case of the trial license key Is Am,
Bm, Cm, ...) Is stored, it is determined whether or not it matches the trial license key mi (trial license keys Ami, Bmi, Cmi, ...) Prestored in the memory. Activates the corresponding option using the option activation selection unit 106c. The trial license key mi described above is stored in advance at the factory.

Then, the predetermined time ti set in advance is set.
Then, the option is stopped using the option activation selection unit 106c.

When the license key hp does not match the trial license key mi, the permanent license key calculation processing unit determines whether or not it matches the permanent license key fi generated by the function. When they match, there is no time limit. , Optional function is enabled.

Digital device 20 configured as described above
The overall operation using is the sequence shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the factory A, the serial number Ai is input at the time of shipment of the digital device 20 (with full option built-in), and the trial license key m is input.
Input i (license key Am, Bm, ...). In addition, the manual 2 which describes the authentication code gk for trial
5 is also attached and shipped.

The digital device 20 is sold at the store C.
The product is shipped (and payment is received) to (d20). In the store B, the digital device 20 from the manufacturer is displayed in the store and the user C is made to purchase it (d21).

If the user who purchased the digital device 20 wants to try the optional function, he opens the manual 25 and requests the home page of the license issuing server 5 using the URL code of the maker A of the manual 25 (d).
22). The license issuance server 5 of maker A transmits via the Internet 11, and the personal computer 10 has a browser function and displays it on the screen (d23).

Next, the user C follows the guide screen of the home page of the personal computer 10, the mail address, the serial number Ai of the purchased digital device 1 (the serial number input by the user is distinguished as ap), and the trial version. The authentication code gk (the authentication code input by the user is distinguished as gm) is input and transmitted to the license issuing server 8 via the Internet 11 (d24).

The license issuance server 5, after temporarily storing these transmitted data, confirms that the trial authentication code gm has been issued and that it has not been used (d25), and then the trial license The key mi is generated (d26).

This license key mi is a license key (fixed value) corresponding to the option type added to the trial authentication code gk. When the trial authentication code gk type indicates option A, Option A
It becomes the license key mi for activating only. Also, the trial authentication code gm once registered is already used.

Then, the license issuing server 5 uses the mailer to send the generated trial license key mi to the mailer of the personal computer 10 of the user C via the Internet 11 (d27). The user inputs the license key mi into the digital device 15 (distinguishes the license key input by the user as mp) (d28) and tries the optional function.

In this way, when the trial authentication code gm is transmitted and the trial license key is issued, the user is most interested in what option from the statistics of the type of trial authentication code from the user. Since it will be possible to know if there are any, it will be possible for the retailers to keep the number of packages in inventory in order of popularity.

That is, the function activation processing section 106a and the option activation selection section 106c of the microcomputer 200 perform the processing shown in FIG.

The function activation processing unit 106a determines what the license key mp stored in the area group 203 of the non-volatile memory 201e is by the user (S20). In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the trial license key Am is transmitted from the server to the user and input.

At step S20, the trial license key A
When it is determined that m has been input, the trial time counter is activated and counted up (S21), and it is determined whether the count-up value has reached the specified time (S21).
22). If the specified time ti has not been reached in step S22, the option A is activated using the option activation selection unit 106c (S23).

Then, in step S22, when the value of the trial time counter reaches the specified time, the activation of option A is stopped using the option activation selection processing unit 106c (S25).

On the other hand, after the option is tried, it is the same as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, after allowing the user to try the option once, the user can purchase only the desired package,
After that, the option can be permanently used as in the first embodiment.

<Third Embodiment> The third embodiment enables trial use of a digital device for a certain period of time by using a trial license key as in the second embodiment. Instead of issuing a license key for use over the Internet, the license key for trial is described in the manual.

Therefore, the structure of the digital device 20 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, the operation is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the operation of each unit is also the same.

Digital device 20 configured as described above
The overall operation using is the sequence shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the factory A, the serial number Ai is input at the time of shipment of the digital device 20 (with full option built-in), and the trial license key m is input.
Input i (license key Am, Bm, ...). In addition, the manual 25 that describes the trial license key mi
Will be attached and shipped.

The digital device 20 is sold at the store B.
The product is shipped (and payment is received) to (d30). At the store B, the digital device 20 from the manufacturer is displayed in the store and the user C is made to purchase it (d31).

If the user who purchased the digital device 20 wants to try the optional function, the user opens the manual 25, and the user inputs the trial license key mi.
Enter 0 (The trial license key entered by the user is mp
(D32) to test the optional function.

Here, the mechanism for activating the optional function is the same as that in the second embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

After the option function is tried, the procedure is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the user once tries the option, and then purchases only the desired package. As in the case of the form 1, the option can be permanently used.

In each of the above embodiments, the nonvolatile memory 1d is provided with an area for storing a license key (trial license key) for each option in advance, and an option for activating an option at the address of this area is provided. Although it is determined whether the license key is used, for example, a code indicating an option type may be assigned to a predetermined bit area of the license key itself so that the microcomputer can determine which option license key only from this code. .

Further, although the security is improved by using a function to calculate the license key by the microcomputer, in an environment where the license key is not stolen, the license for each option is previously stored in the digital device. A key may be stored and a match between this key and the license key entered by the user may be determined.

In the above embodiment, the option package is made to be purchased by the user through the store, but the manufacturer may sell the option package directly to the user at the request of the user.

[0092]

As described above, the digital device of the present invention is
Various built-in functions are built in so as not to operate in advance.

Then, when the user inputs the license key of the optional function, the function corresponding to the option type of the input license key is activated, this function creates a license key using the serial number, and the created license When the key matches the input license key, the optional function of the type corresponding to the type of the input license key is activated.

Therefore, the user does not need to ask the manufacturer to take the digital device purchased by the user and install the option for the version upgrade in order to upgrade the version. There is.

Further, there is an effect that the manufacturer and the dealer do not need to store various kinds of equipment such as equipment equipped with optional functions and equipment with optional full-spec equipment in a warehouse.

Further, since it is only necessary for the user to purchase the option package at a store or the like, the maker does not have to construct a new system for payment.

Further, even if various optional functions are built in and shipped in advance, there is an effect that these optional functions cannot be activated unless the user inputs the license key.

Further, since the function corresponding to the type of the license key input by the user is used for creating the license key, there is an effect that the license key cannot be stolen illegally.

In particular, when a variety of optional functions (color correction, enhance) are built in the digital equipment for converting to HDTV signals and this function is provided,
The user can obtain the license key corresponding to the color correction and the enhancement and input the license key to the digital device, so that the digital device having the enhancement and the color correction can operate thereafter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital device having an optional function according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital device having an optional function according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of acquiring a license key according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital device having an optional function according to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of acquiring a trial license key according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of acquiring a trial license key according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,20 Digital equipment 2 packages 5 Line Sesky issuing server 7 database 8, 25 Manual 10 PC 11 Internet 1a LCD display section 1b Setting input section 1d, 201e non-volatile memory 101 signal input section 102 IP converter 103 Image processing unit 103a Basic processing unit 103b, 103d switching means 103c Option A (color correction) processing unit 103e Option B (enhancement) processing unit 104 Enlarged section 105 signal output section 106,200 microcomputer 106a Function start processing unit 106b License key calculation processing unit 106c Option start selection section 203 license key storage area 204 Trial time counter storage area Ai serial number ap Serial number entered by the user gi authentication code gp The authentication code entered by the user ki license key hp License key entered by user fi License key created inside digital device gk trial verification code gm Trial authentication code entered by the user mi trial license key mp trial license key entered by the user

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A digital device having various optional functions built-in, which is set so as not to operate the optional functions at the time of shipment, and when the user inputs a license key for the optional functions, Means for storing as an input license key; means for determining an option type of the input license key and activating a function corresponding to the corresponding option type; and the digital value preset in accordance with the input of the license key. Means for reading the serial number of the device, means for creating the license key from the serial number by the function, comparing the input license key and the created license key, when both license keys match, Type corresponding to the type of the input license key Digital devices with optional features and having a means for activating the optional function. 2. The input license key is created based on the function from the authentication code information sent by the user by a license key issuing server connected via a network, and sent to the terminal of the user. A digital device having an optional function according to claim 1. 3. The digital device includes means for determining whether or not a trial license key corresponding to the type of the optional function has been input, and a preset trial license when it is determined that the trial license key has been input. A means for reading the key as the setting trial license key is compared with the trial license key and the setting trial license key, and when both license keys match, the option function of the type corresponding to the type of the trial license key is selected. 3. A digital device having an optional function according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for activating it for a certain period of time.